Stronger Ties For Barbados & Italy

Italy’s Special Envoy to the Caribbean Islands, Paolo Serpi and Ministry of Industry Donville Inniss exchange the Double Taxation Agreement’s, Instruments of Ratification between Barbados and Italy. (J.Carrington/BGIS)

The exchange of instruments of ratification between Barbados and Italy to effectively conclude a Double Taxation Agreement was among the highlights of a visit to Barbados by Italy’s Special Envoy for the Caribbean, Paolo Serpi.

Ambassador Serpi and Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss, officially exchanged the instrument, which was first signed in August 2015, during a courtesy call at Parliament yesterday.

During the meeting, the envoy mentioned several areas of cooperation, including fashion design, agriculture, renewable energy and climate change.

Ambassador Serpi signalled his country’s intention to work more closely with CARICOM on the development of the fashion industry, as well as other areas to advance the social and economic development of both countries.

In turn, Mr. Inniss expressed his interest in that project, which he believed had the potential to strengthen the work at the Barbados Community College, where there was existing infrastructure and the teaching of some of the foundation courses in fashion.

He added: “We have always looked to Italy in the area of fashion, design and technology. Many Barbadians have benefited from the opportunities available by the Italian Government and Italian institutions to further their skills particularly through the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation.”

Regarding cooperation in agriculture, the Minister mentioned the University of the West Indies’ programme to transform the agricultural sector from farm to market, with the assistance of the Italian Government, by using the pelt of Black belly sheep to produce high-quality product.

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